During a recent remodel of the restaurant space, Hirsh-Cooper said her and her husband, Doug Cooper, decided to not reopen Midtowne Oven after reevaluating the space and its potential for entertainment options.

LAFAYETTE, Ind.— After just under two years of operation, Midtowne Oven has closed its doors, but the spot it occupies won't be empty.

Karen Hirsh-Cooper — co-owner of the building Midtowne Oven and the Columbia Room occupy, Sgt. Preston's of the North and the Outpost Bar and Grill — said the restaurant will no longer operate, but the space will be utilized as additional venue options for Columbia Room patrons.

During a recent remodel of the restaurant space, Hirsh-Cooper said she and her husband, Doug Cooper, decided to not reopen Midtowne Oven after reevaluating the space and its potential for entertainment.

"The Columbia Room is doing really well, so we felt this was a unique opportunity for an intimate entertainment venue in the downtown area," she said. "With downtown becoming a blossoming flower, we thought this would really enhance the area."

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Midtowne Oven, known for serving brick oven style pizzas, announced its closure on Tuesday, with the decision to merge into additional venue space for the Columbia Room.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier, John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

When the couple purchased the building in 2015, Hirsh-Cooper said they had the idea that if Sylvia's Brick Oven, the former restaurant occupying the space, ever decided it would move elsewhere, they would utilize the space as a catering facility. That original idea is now coming full circle, she said.

"The more we thought about it during the remodel and did some soul searching, it just really became the best move," Hirsh-Cooper said. "I already have so many ideas for events we could host in the future. With the big windows and how beautiful the building is, this is going to be a really unique opportunity for downtown."

Outstanding giftcards for Midtowne Oven can exchanged for Sgt. Preston's giftcards until April 30, according to a Midtowne Oven Facebook post.

Contact reporter Jillian Ellison at 765-420-5228 or at jeellison@gannett.com.